We Don't Need Another Hero

Yesterday, Vladimir Putin gave hero awards to three scientists who planted a Russian flag under the ice at the North Pole.

There's a land squabble, and the award was granted in part simply for supporting the country's claim to the land, which may rest over as much as 25% of the worlds untapped oil. The AP story said:

The issue has become more urgent with growing evidence that global warming is shrinking polar ice -- opening up resource development and new shipping lanes.

Some days, the irony of the world needs no comment.